Automatic feed-box for horses or cattle.



No. 727,925. y PATENTED MAY 12, 1903.

E. J. FAULKNER.

AUTOMATIC FEED BOX FOR HORSES 0R CATTLE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21.1903.

K0 MODEL.

m: NORRIS PETERS co PHOTOLITHQ. WASHNGTON, n. c.

NITED STATES- Patentetl May 12, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

AUTOMATIC FEED-BOX FOR HORSES OR CATTLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 727,925, dated May 12,1903.

Application filed February 21, 1903. Serial No. 144,362. (No model.)

To all whom it ntay concern:

Be it known that I, ELISHA JEFFERSON FAULKNER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Kimball, in the county of McDowell, State of WestVirginia, have invented certain, new and useful Improvements inAutomatic Feed-Boxes for Horses or Cattle, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings,in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the box empty, showing thecover raised and the feedelevator depressed; Fig. 2, a transversevertical sectional view; Fig.3, a vertical sectional view taken on theline 3 3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4: a horizontal sectional view taken on theline 4 4 of Fig. 3.

One of the main objects of this invention is to provide a feed-box inwhich. the feed will.

be automatically pressed against a grating through which it may bepulled by the feeding animals.

Another object of the invention is toproduce a feed-box which will beefficient in operation and yet so simple in construction that itsliability to become disarranged will be re mote. V

Referring to the various parts by numerals, 1 designates a rectangularbox of suitable height, to the upper end of which is hinged arectangular cover 2. This cover is formed of a rectangular open frame,preferably made of metal, and within this frame'are secured at suitabledistances apart parallel cross-bars 3. Connected. to one side edge ofthis cover. is one end of a jointed brace 4., the other end of thisbrace being pivoted to the side of the said box near the upper endthereof.

Centrally within the rectangular box and extending from the bottomthereof about twothirds the height of the box is a vertical rec:tangular compartment 5, which receives and guides a post 6, to the upperend of which is secured the horizontal platen 7. This platen is of thesame outline as the interior of said box and fits snugly therein and atthe same time is freely movable up and down in said box. Extendinglaterally from the lower end of the vertical platen carrying post is atreadle 8, Whose outer'end projects through a vertical slot in one ofthe outer walls of the feedbox. To the lower end of the guide-post onopposite sides thereofare secured cords 9, whichextend upwardly alongthe sides of the post, said cords lying in vertical grooves formed intheinner sides of the compartment and passing outward over pulleys 10 inthe upper end of the compartment, said pulleys being suitably mounted onthe outer sides of the wall of the compartment. To the outer free endsof these cords are connected weights 11, said weights being'sufficientto lift the platen and a full charge of feed, their purpose being toforce the feed upward against the cross-bars of the cover in order thatthe horses or other stock feeding at the box may be able to reach it anddraw it out between the bars. To the outer ends of the treadle 8 isconnected one end of a cord 12, said cord extending around the smallpulley 13 near the bottom of the box, thence upward through a guidel4,itsupper'freeehd being connected to a small metallic ring15, which isadapted to be engaged on a horizontal pin 16, projecting from the sideof the box, whenever it is desired to depress the -platen tothe limit ofits movement and to hold it in its depressed position. This is done whenfilling the box. An automatic spring-1atch17 is provided with a beveledhead '18, which is forced outward by the edge of the cover as said coveris closed. This spring-latch works on the pin 16, with which the ring 15is adapted to be engaged. The purpose of this is that after the feed-boxhas been filled it will be simply necessary to close the'cover, which asit'descends will contact. with the'bev'eled head'of the spring-catch andforce it outward sufficiently to push the ring off of the pin16, therebyreleasing the platen and permitting the weights 11 to elevate it and thefeedcontained in thefeed-box.

Along one edge of the vertical slot in the box through which the outerend of the treadle 8 projects is arrangeda suitable scale which willindicateby the position of the treadle on said scale the amountof feedin the box.

A grain-trough 19, preferably of metal, is secured to one side of thefeed-box at the upperedge thereof.

When it is desired to fill the box, the treadle is depressed with onefoot and the ring 15 lifted and engaged over the pin 16.

It will thus be seen that I provide an exceedingly simple feed-box whichwill automatically place the feed against the cross-bars of the coverand which will be very efficient in operation and will prevent waste ofthe feed. It will further be noted that the construction of the feed-boxis exceedingly simple, and that the possibility of its becominginoperative is very remote, and that should it become disarrangedrepairs may be quickly and easily made.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a feed-box the combination of avertical receptacle, a cover hinged to the upper end thereof andprovided with a suitable grating, a platen within the receptacle, acentral post depending from said platen, apair of weights connected tothe lower end of said post by flexible cords and adapted to raise saidplaten, a treadle connected to the lower end of said post and extendingto the outer side of the receptacle, whereby the platen may bedepressed, and means for locking the treadle in its depressed position.

2. In a feed-box the combination of a vertical receptacle, a coverhinged to the upper end thereof and provided with a suitable grating, aplaten within the receptacle, a central post depending from said platen,a pair of weights connected to the lower end of said post by flexiblecords and adapted to raise said platen, a treadle connected to the lowerend of said post and extending to the outer side of the receptaclewhereby the platen may be depressed, a cord connected to the outer endof said treadle, suitable guides for said cord, and means for securingthe free end of said cord to hold the platen in its depressed position.

3. In a feed-box the combination of a vertical receptacle, a coverhinged to the upper end thereof and provided with a suitable grating, aplaten within the receptacle, a central post depending from the saidplaten, a pair of weights connected to the lower end of said post byflexible cords, and adapted to raise said platen, a treadle connected tothe lower end of said post and extending to the outer side of thereceptacle whereby the platen may be depressed, a catch connected to theside of the box and adapted to lock the cover closed, said catch beingadapted to be automatically moved by the closing of the cover, and meansoperated by the movement of said catch to release the platen.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature, in the presence oftwo witnesses, this 20th day of February, 1903.

ELlSHA JEFFERSON FAULKNER.

Witnesses:

W. J. POE, B. STONE.

